NGT clears AOL event, imposes Rs 5 cr fine
09 March, New Delhi
The controversial ‘Art of Living’ mega event Wednesday got the Green Tribunal’s nod but fined Rs 5 crore for disturbing the ecologically fragile Yamuna flood plains, the venue where the World Culture Festival is scheduled to held from March 11-13.
The Union Ministry of Environment and the central government agencies came in for severe castigation by the Green court for allowing the organisers to hold the event without making any assessment of its environmental impact.
After posing tough questions, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Rs one lakh on Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for allowing the preparations for the event without proper clearances and for non-performance of their statutory functions.
”It is the consistent view of the Experts and is sufficiently evident from the documents placed onrecord that the flood plains have been drastically tampered with while destroying the natural flow ofthe river, reeds, grasses, natural vegetation on the river bed. It has further disturbed the aquatic lifeof the river and destroyed water bodies and wet lands on the flood plains, which were in existence,” the court said.
”Furthermore, they have constructed ramps, roads, compaction of earth, pontoon bridges and other semi-permanent or temporary structures etc. even without the permission of the concerned authorities including Ministry of Water Resources,” it further said.
Justice Kumar slapped Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Art of Living foundation with an initial fine of Rs 5 crore to compensate the damage caused due to construction activity on the flood plains of Yamuna while directing them to restore the entire area in question into its original form.” For the damage caused to the environment,ecology, biodiversity and aquatic life of the river, the Foundation should be held liable for its restoration in all respects,” a bench said, adding that the amount would be adjusted towards the final compensation determined to be paid by the Foundation for restoration work.
The court also constituted a Committee of the representatives of DPCC, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCC), who shall immediately inspect the site and issue directions by tomorrow in relation to the source of water, collection and disposal of the Municipal Solid Waste and sewerage generated during the event.
The green court also asked committee to issue directions to ensure that there is no further environmental degradation or adverse impact on public health.